Track Warrants

"The Electronic Internet Newsletter of Western Railroading"
P.O. Box 720301
San Jose, CA 95172
USA

Issue No. 36
November 12, 1996

Steve Sloan
Send news, correspondence and images to: stevesln@aimnet.com

EDITORIAL

Thank you to those of you who have responded to the last issue and have made financial contributions to the cause. Your support of the newsletter is most appreciated. I have been very busy lately and have not been able to write each of you individually to thank you and I am sorry about that.

GREEN FLAG--STEREO ISSUE

This set is going out to the same mailing list as the last trilogy. I hope to update the list again for the next release.
Steve

FOUR WAGONS

SP and UP E units a WP Funit and an ATSF FP45 at SP's West Oakland diesil ramp, by Jon Porter ©.

AMTRAK

AMTRAK 4 - THE GE LOCOMOTIVE

Nov09--By Santa Clara this morning (11-10-96) at 1035am or so was eastbound Amtrak #11 "Coast Starlight" led by new GE B42-9PH 4 and P40-8BWH 807. That's right "Numeral 4." I thought these critters were just on the east coast....
Matt Vurek

"CARITAS" SIGHTING

...the [ex-Santa Fe, if I'm correct] South Orient line in south Fort Worth Texas, and spotted a train with very unusual 'headlight' groupings [or so I thought].

It turned out to be private-car "Caritas", on the rear of a three-car train of P.V's, pulled by a South Orient Geep, northbound. I could not identify the other two cars, except that they appeared to have a gray scheme with maroon or magenta window-striping, and appeared to be a lightweight sleeper.

I assumed it must've been a special Halloween charter run---none of the cars, certainly not the Caritas, run on the Tarantula Steam train excursion which occasionally uses this portion of the line.

Anyone have more information, perchance?

George Jenista

BNSF

GREAT PUMPKIN UNITS

The Great Pumpkin Units have made appearances on the Joint Line and Front Range Subs. The latest being 995 on the point of #195 south on November 1. They have also been spotted on Raton Pass. UP has begun to shift some coal trains to the JOint line and the former SP trackage rights on the BNSF to Amarillo. BNSF has begun running trains over the Moffat Line. Departing Denver during the night and running with SP (UP) power.
Zacharey Green

LETTER TO A FRIEND

Nov 10--Myles Stock wrote:

Hi John, Went to Lester this weekend. Lots of work at Lester The new rails are in. The Y track bed is laid over a new covert that also has room for the main road. There is forms for the new building just west of the old station, there is two main lines and one siding most of the way from bridge to bridge. There was a crew putting up new power lines 4 to 5 miles both sides of town for rail heaters. One of the crew was a Roundtree.

At OLD Stampede there was a crew laying ballast and two crews setting track to grade and tamping ballast. One crew was BNSF other HERZOG. The contract crew is getting $.50 a foot for there job. Also there is alight plant for the work in the tunnel. Could not get to the west end of the main tunnel.

Went to the east end of the main tunnel where they were blasting the rock to set the new snow sheds. there is two tracks from Marton down most of the way to Easton.

At Easton there is two footings set with steel for new buildings. There is lots of track parts on the ground and in trailers marked BN.

Seen a lot of the new signal poles along the line with a pile of bases and poles set at Lester.

Puget Power is putting new poles from I 90 to Stampede and Marton.

Most crews are working 10-12 Hrs 7 days Lots of OT. Talked to some BN workers. The plans are to get the one line opened by Dec 1 with both tracks from Lester to old Stampede next year. The plans are for 15 to 20 trains a day over the pass by next fall.

Stopped and talked to Mrs Marphy. Still in good health and likes all the work in town. Good to see her after having her for a teacher 30 yrs ago.

BY for now Myles

(via Myles Stock)

PERRY, OK

Nov05--BNSF opened a new section of track between Fir avenue and Ivanhoe street in Perry. According to one source, an additional 17 trains now can move daily through Perry. On some days, as many as 50 trains will pass through the city.

Main railroad lines run east and west and north and south from Perry. The new section of track is a right-hand switch connection that allows southbound trains on the Red Rock Sub to go westward onto the Avard Sub, and vice versa.
via Richard Allen via James Czarnecki

BNSF ACTIVITY AT PADUCAH, KY

Oct31--Today BN train #448 (Paducah-Galesburg)was seen leaving with an unusual lash-up for power: a BN C33-7, MRL SD45 369 ( a "flying W unit"), a BN SD40-2 and trailing was Union Pacific SD90MAC-H 8102. The UP 8102 has the newer carbody with the "sloped" roof over the 6000 hp prime mover and is lettered with the seemingly popular "We Will Deliver" slogan.

This is somewhat unusual in that most UP units released from VMV are routed through Memphis on the IC for delivery to the Union Pacific. This is the first unit in recent memory to be delivered via BNSF.
Chad Cowan

DISCONNECTED CORPORATE LOOK

Oct30--Saw the TW35 comments regarding the painting of Santa Fe units. I was in Kansas City (Argentine Yard) October 6 and saw a newly repainted GP-35 in Santa Fe blue and yellow. And also traveled to Lawrence where the local engine (also a GP-35 I believe) had been repainted (blue/yellow) in the last few months. So it is my assumption that until further notice any repaints will continue to be in the current schemes and maybe only new units will get the BNSF orange scheme. Sure makes for a disconnected corporate look though (as writers to Trains and Pacific Rail News have recently alluded to).
Richard Pace

BNSF TODAY

EMPLOYEES' QUESTIONS ABOUT TSS RECEIVE ANSWERS

Nov07--With anything new come questions. Case in point, the new Transportation Support System (TSS) has stirred many questions by employees. Therefore, here is a list of questions and answers to some of the most common concerns.

Why is BNSF implementing TSS?

In September 1995, BNSF recognized that one of its first priorities was to establish a common operating information system that would support all of our needs. TSS is a proven, state-of-the-art system. TSS provides trip plans for every loaded and empty car. It also is a central information source for empty car movements systemwide and it generates more-disciplined car movements than the COMPASS transportation system. In July, BNSF accelerated its implementation of TSS to minimize the length of the transition period between the two systems. Implementation of BNSF TSS will be completed systemwide by the end of the second quarter of 1997.

How can customers get more timely tracing data?

Customers can access the most timely information, which comes direct from TSS, through Kleinschmidt Inc. and other third-party networks or direct-dial software such as BNSF Integrator.

How far along is TSS implementation?

Today, TSS is more than 50 percent implemented on the former Burlington Northern. TSS is fully implemented on the Northern Lines and implementation is about midway on the Burlington Lines.

What is BNSF doing about equipment distribution problems?

The equipment distribution issue is related primarily to the synchronization between TSS and COMPASS. Some software and hardware upgrades already have been made to improve the flow of information. Until TSS and COMPASS are completely synchronized, however, we've put several processes in place to ensure that customers get the equipment they need when they need it.

We have established a centralized equipment distribution function to apply destinations to empty cars on a systemwide basis instead of the more-limited basis of the COMPASS environment. Equipment distributors are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.With this centralized function, we can now more effectively control the distribution of empty equipment and respond on a real-time basis to equipment issues. Those issues include discrepancies between loads and empties, cars with less-than-complete billing instructions that need dispositions, and correlations between the number of reporting exceptions and cars needing disposition.

The Kansas City area is scheduled to be the next to convert to TSS. Currently, it is scheduled to begin on Nov. 10, 1996.

NEW TSS FUNCTION IMPROVES LINE-UP ACCURACY

Nov06--A new function is now available in BNSF's Transportation Support System (TSS) allowing a more accurate means of determining crew line-up deviation. The new function of "TRNBRO," short for train browse, provides BNSF personnel ordering train crews and updating line-ups with another tool to meet the goal of providing line-ups that are accurate within one hour of the forecasted times, six to eight hours in advance.

The "TRNBRO" function displays a crew call deviation box that contains updated estimates of the crew-on-duty time from the snapshot taken of the crew board line-up six to eight hours earlier. The difference in the two times is the deviation time.

Steve Morgan, locomotive engineer and line-up team mentor, says, "The new function of 'TRNBRO' benefits any department that makes plans based on train line-up information because line-ups will be more accurate. This means more information for train crews to plan their rest, family activities and personal activities," he said.

"TRNBRO" also features a "What If" enhancement that shows the user a forecast of a deviation for any on-duty time entered, eliminating the human element of mathematical miscalculations.

OHIO INTERMODAL FACILITIES CONSOLIDATED TO IMPROVE SERVICE

Nov05--To provide customers more streamlined service, this week BNSF has consolidated former BN and Santa Fe intermodal facilities in Cleveland and Cincinnati. These off-line intermodal market extension (IMX) facilities provided over-the-road transportation to and from a BNSF rail hub center. Customers now will be able to use one facility in these locations to handle their intermodal shipments in and out of the Ohio Valley via BNSF's Chicago hub centers.

The consolidations do not change the current rail billing or equipment reservation processes.

SAN BERNARDINO INTERMODAL FACILITY RECEIVES HONORS

As the news release from the American Trucking Association (ATA) Intermodal Conference says, "Truckers call it like they see it." Which is why BNSF's San Bernardino intermodal facility is all the more honored to receive the group's Award of Excellence.

Only five intermodal facilities in the nation received the honor which was based on surveys of more than 4, 300 drivers at 335 intermodal rail, marine and off-dock terminals throughout the country.

The intermodal facilities are rated on customer service, quick turn-around time, good equipment, well-designed and maintained facilities, and efficient processing systems.

Congratulations to BNSF's San Bernardino facility.

LATEST TSS IMPROVEMENT TO ASSIST FIELD PERSONNEL

Nov04--The operating information systems of the predecessor railroads, COMPASS and TSS, are now talking to each other on the Joint Line of the Pike's Peak Subdivision in Colorado, allowing line-up times to be automatically updated.

With the interfacing of the two systems, a coal train leaving the Powder River Basin with a BN symbol from the mine to Denver, will automatically be given a symbol that both systems can read. Prior to the interfacing of the two systems, once a coal train entered the Joint Line at Denver from the Powder River Basin, information gathered by the former BN's COMPASS system had to be manually inputted into the former Santa Fe's TSS system by a chief dispatcher. The result, says Gordon Locke, line-up team leader and line-up instructor at the NOC, is that the new TSS program will improve the quality of life for engineers and conductors with better line-up times. "Before the new program, the former BN's COMPASS lineup on the Powder River Basin was updated from train events in Centralized Traffic Control (CTC), but this information did not carry over to the Santa Fe system. With this new TSS ability, the symbols are generated by the computer automatically and the former BN and Santa Fe's systems talk to each other and update the Santa Fe line-up without anyone having to manually enter the information.

This should help our employees who will be able to count on the improved accuracy of the information and know when they're going to work," he said. This new TSS function was also implemented last week between California and Amarillo, Texas; the Cameron crossover, and Galesburg, Ill. and is scheduled to be available by late November between Memphis, Tenn. and Birmingham, Ala.; between Amarillo, Texas and Enid, Okla.; and between Enid and Tulsa, Okla.

BNSF POSTS RECORD OCTOBER FOR SOYBEAN MOVEMENT

Nov01--It was a record October for moving soybeans for BNSF's Agricultural Commodities Business Unit.

The second largest soybean crop in history, coupled with strong export demand, has allowed BNSF to expand its market reach with a large covered hopper fleet and post-merger access to more export shipping. Increased shipments from primary origin markets in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska to Duluth, Minn., Superior, Wis., the Texas Gulf, Mobile, Ala., and Mexico, along with continued strong grain movement to the Pacific Northwest, have resulted in a good October.

Soybeans are also on pace to break the yearly revenue record of $85.4 million set in 1995, which was about $28 million, or 50 percent, greater than any previous year. The soybean success can be attributed to many factors, according to Jonathan Tinker, market manager of feeds and oilseeds.

"The market provided BNSF with an opportunity to utilize the strengths of our franchise by pricing to the market and having the railcars and plan in place to execute the program. The whole agricultural team, both marketing and operations, made the record revenues possible," he said.

CALENDAR PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Oct29--Ten BNSF employees, who also happen to be outstanding photographers, have won cash prizes in the 1997 BNSF Calendar photo contest. The winning photographs represent a good cross-section of the beautiful scenery along BNSF's rail network and of the traffic transported over it. The winning entries, which will be published in the 1997 BNSF Calendar, range from shots of trains captured in the shadow of 14,410-foot Mt. Rainier in Washington state; to Crozier Canyon, Ariz.; to the Arbuckle Mountains of Oklahoma.

Charlie Dischinger, locomotive engineer, Springfield, Mo., won the grand prize of $500 for his shot of a BNSF grain train in Marias Pass, Mont. The other winning photographers, will receive $250 for each published photo.

A complimentary copy of the 1997 calendar will be sent to all BNSF employees after the Thanksgiving holiday and will include an order card for employees to order extra copies of the calendar at their own expense for friends and relatives.

Excerpts from BNSF Today provided via James Czarnecki

CONRAIL

FIGHT FOR CONRAIL

Nov07--The fight for control of Conrail shows no signs of letting up. CSX, who's stock continued to sink after making an $8.4 billion bid for Conrail, agreed Wednesday to pour more cash into its offer. Norfolk Southern said it is not dropping its rival $9 billion offer, which it will take directly to Conrail shareholders.

The higher offer comes after CSX spent a week trying to avoid an auction for Conrail, relying instead on legal and public-relation tactics to stengthen its hand. But pressure from a number of camps - - including Conrail shareholders and Wall street analysts - - has forced the company to put more cash on the Table. Now, the stage is set for a prolonged battle.

A purchase of Conrail by either partner would create the No. 3 freight carrier in the United States. Conrail reaffirmed its agreement to be bought out by CSX, rejecting the all-cash offer from Norfolk Southern.

"The way it stood, Norfolk clearly had the better deal for shareholders and that's why CSX has decided to sweeten the deal somewhat," said Thom Brown, managing director of the money management firm Rutherford, Brown & Catherwood. "But I'm not sure they've sweetened it enough to pull this off."

CSX raised the cash portion of its offer to $110 a share for 40 percent of Conrail stock, up about 19 percent from the $92.50 in its initial takeover agreement. It, however, left unchanged terms to buy the rest of Conrail's shares for CSX stock. CSX shares have fallen more than 11 percent since the deal was announced. In trading after the latest round of announcements, Conrail rose $1.375 to $93.625 a share on the New York Stock Exchange, where CSX was down 87.5 cents at $43.125 and NS was down $1.875 at $87.125 a share.

NS and CSX had been talking about splitting up Conrail, but those discussions broke off Tuesday.

via D. Scott Chatfield and Michael Dwayne Huggins

OPINION:

When you get folks involved who's commission depends on share price, you can count on the price going way out of line; and, Has anyone actually looked at Conrail's real value? Nine Billion Dollars?

UP's directors checked Drew Lewis into de-tox when he offered $5 billion for Santa Fe, and Santa Fe was worth more than Conrail. If I was still an NS stockholder, I'd kick Goode in the tail!

It may be a capital-intensive industry, but you can still build a lot of railroad for $9 billion.

To put $9 billion in perspective, I could float FOUR BATTLE GROUPS for $9 billion and TAKE OVER THE WORLD! Puhleeze....
D. Scott Chatfield

BASKETCASE BECOMES JEWEL

Conrail seemed a basket case when the government created it from the ruins of six bankrupt railroads two decades ago, Conrail Inc.now is a corporate jewel at the heart of the biggest railroad merger battle ever. Conrail has worked hard to modernize.

For a railroad that seemed once doomed to failure this is a real Cinderella story. Today, day after day, Conrail freight trains bring hundreds of containers filled with products for export to a mammoth dock on Newark Bay at Port Elizabeth. Unloading is so rapid some are on ships on their way out to the Atlantic

within hours. Each day, a similar mountain of containers recently plucked by cranes from ships arriving from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, ride Conrail trains back into the American heartland.

Rapid growth is a product of railroad deregulation, new technology, and shifting patterns of world trade -- the same factors that have made Conrail an increasingly valuable piece of the nation's freight transportation system.

What Conrail and other lines are doing is in some cases reversing, a decades-long loss of business to the trucking industry. While the public perception is that railroads are crumbling because passenger service is notoriously bad compared with other countries, freight shippers say the American rail network is the best and most efficient in the world.

Railroads' share of freight traffic, measured by tonnage and distance carried, rose to 40.6 percent last year, from 36.4 percent in 1985, according to Mercer Management, a transportation consulting firm based in Lexington, Mass.

The recovery has its roots in deregulation of the industry in 1980, four years after the government began pouring billions into the dying Penn Central and five other lines to replace dilapidated track and rolling stock. That allowed railroads to drop costly branch lines that generated little traffic, and to quickly add new services to make better use of main lines like those Conrail uses to move goods from here to Chicago, Detroit, and other inland hubs. It also freed them to rapidly change prices to meet competition from the far more flexible and reliable truckers.

Conrail spent $64 million on improvements in Pennsylvania alone to create an eastbound container route south of its main line across New York. West Coast container services then could reach terminals around Harrisburg, the Port of Philadelphia, and with a handoff to the Norfolk Southern in Hagerstown, Md., cities further south.

The benefits of increased global trade have been enhanced by investments in a variety of new technologies.

The railroads' economic revival cost 270,000 railroad employees their jobs from 1980 to 1995, about 60 percent of the total, as lines slashed train crews. Conrail's work force was cut from 96,000to 23,500.

On the other hand, their comeback has revived locomotive and rail car manufacturing, saved shippers billions of dollars a year, stimulated world trade, and influenced many domestic activities in ways the average citizen might not realize, such as allowing utilities to meet clean air regulations by switching to low-sulfur Western coal instead of installing expensive scrubbers. Conrail's operating income, meanwhile, rose to $2.86 billion in 1995, from $1.34 billion in 1980.

But with just four railroads controlling 95 percent of interstate rail traffic once Conrail is absorbed, customers and other parts of the transportation system are increasingly anxious. Many fear price increases or service cuts.
via Dave Bono

CONTINUED IN ISSUE #37

TAKING STOCK

The Rail Stock Report, Compiled by Jim Czarnecki, is now available at:
http://www.primenet.com/~jimc/

To subscribe send an E-mail to stevesln@aimnet.com
and say, "sign me up."

This document was last updated November 14, 1996.

Steve Sloan, Sloan Family Webmaster
stevesln@aimnet.com
TRACK WARRANTS
P.O. Box 720301
San Jose, CA 95172
USA